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Christmas Songs with French Origin - A Melodic Journey of Provençal Holiday Traditions 
Tis the season and I delight in exploring traditional French Christmas songs and Provençal traditions, such as the 13 desserts served during a Christmas Eve dinner. When we find ourselves in France for Nöel, a visit to the Avignon Christmas market accompanied by the enchanting tunes of traditional French Christmas music is de rigueur.
In this article, we delve into 7 French Christmas Carols, several with roots in southern France plus some contemporary ones for fun. Since our website focuses on the Côtes du Rhône wine region, Provençal Christmas traditions are our favorite.
There are many more francophone (French language) songs out there – if you have a suggestion, feel free to leave us a comment below for a future post!
![[a sign in a store window says Joyeaux Noel] French Christmas traditions, Joyeaux Noel](https://discovercotesdurhone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AvignonNoelChristmas-discovercotedurhone-1-jpg-e1702172176646-300x300.webp)
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How do the French Celebrate Christmas?
Our French friends and family celebrate Christmas (or Nöel ) without being excessively “trop de Nöel” (overly Christmas-y). Their festivities focus on Christmas Eve—a gathering of family and friends, complemented by delightful food and wine.
In le midi, Provencal Christmas Eve traditions include the 13 desserts.
Christmas dinners in France often showcase seafood platters and fois gras. And, what pairs better with that than a lovely white or rosé Côtes du Rhône!
Check out this article for some scrumptious holiday food styling and wine pairings!
As we celebrate the holidays in the States this year, I plan to bring this white Cotes du Rhone by Mathilde Chapoutier – Duche d’Uzes Blanc. Available from Total Wine. (Note: this is not an affiliate link)
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French Christmas Carols
As many Americans know, the holiday season seems to kick off earlier each year. As early as Halloween, the ubiquitous Christmas carols become hard to escape – especially when navigating through stores.
Yet, my husband is not a fan of the relentless onslaught of holiday tunes. This year, I’ve devised a plan to circumvent this by indulging in French Christmas music of authentic French origin. And specifically songs from the southern regions of France or entwined with Provençal Christmas traditions.
To kick off this festive endeavor, I’m popping in a holiday CD. Two favorites in my collection, that can be purchased on Amazon, are Putamayo French Christmas and A French Christmas. I highly recommend these for Francophiles…who own a working CD player.
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What is the History of French Christmas Songs?
Transitioning from pagan traditions, Christmas carols likely originated in winter solstice festivities, symbolizing the sun’s rebirth on December 21. Communal gatherings naturally incorporated music, songs, or chants to mark the occasion. Christianity’s spread transformed these pagan customs, repurposing them for Christian celebrations.
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What is the Oldest French Christmas Carol?
In my research, I was surprised to find French origins for many songs I thought were British. Several are older than the US of A!
Arranged by age, focusing on holiday songs from southern France and close to the Côtes du Rhône wine region, here they are.
Entre le Bœuf et l’Ane Gris - Between the Cow and the Gray Donkey
Considered the first French-origin Christmas carol, dating back to the early 13th century, it shares a common fate with many folk songs of its era: the exact details of its creation remain elusive. The tune is believed to have originated as a hunting song.
Typically transmitted orally through generations, these songs, including anonymous compositions, embed themselves in cultural heritage through communal singing and oral tradition.
The carol draws inspiration from the Nativity story, symbolically featuring the ox and gray donkey associated with the stable of Jesus’s birth.
For a sense of the carol, watch the chorale performance by the Collégiale Notre-Dame-en-Vaux de Chalons en Champagne from 2018.
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Lyrics -Entre le Bœuf et l’Ane Gris
The lyrics in both French and English, along with a rendition by the Versailles Boys Choir, can be found here. The sheet music included in this article indicates the tune’s origin dates back to the 13th century.
Nöel Provencal / Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle - Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Transitioning to the 17th century, Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle, a Provençal carol, tells the tale of two milkmaids discovering baby Jesus in a stable.
According to the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BNF) the song was first published in 1553 with the music accredited to Nicholas Saboly, an organist and chapel master in Carpentras. At some point, it was christened Noël Provencal, as you can see on the album label. The tune derives from a medieval dance. 👉🏼 Click the record to see the BNF site which is charming, and play a snippet
Translating into English as Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella, it is more popular with Anglo-Saxon holiday traditions than modern-day French.
Tune into this baroque rendition by the Cambridge singers. Click on the album to see the French National Library’s (BNF) collection of Christmas tunes.
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La Marche Des Rois - March of the Three Kings
The lyrics are ascribed to Joseph-François Domergue, a priest-dean born in 1691 in Avignon. His name is linked to the initial manuscript copy of the lyrics, dated 1742, and stored in the Avignon library. The song celebrates the Epiphany and the wise men.
According to this same document, the lyrics are meant to be sung to the melody of a Marche de Turenne (March of Turenne).
An Avignon legend suggests that the tune was written originally in the 15th century as a military march during the era of King René although the tune may have existed earlier than that.
Check out this organ performance of the tune by a young, Swede, Magnus Ravald.
Les Anges dans Nos Campagnes - Angels We Have Heard on High
Originating in southern France, this carol debuted in a 1842 compendium: Choix de cantiques sur des airs nouveaux (Paris: Poussièlgue-Rusand).
In some instances, it carries the popular name Noël Languedocien, translating to Languedoc Christmas, influenced by the southwestern Languedoc region bordering Spain.
While credited to “W.M.,” the vocal arrangement is attributed to Louis Lambillotte (1796–1855). Explore the sheet music and lyrics.
Il Est Né Le Divin Enfant - He is Born The Divine Child
Hailing from northeastern France in the Lorraine, this carol adopts the melody of a 17th-century hunting tune, La tête bizarde.
Romain Grosjean, organist of Saint-Dié des Vosges cathedral, first published the song with lyrics in 1874. The lyrics evoke the birth of Christ. The tune became more popularized when Léon Roques, a friend of Debussy and Ravel, published his harmonization in 1886.
The accompanying video is a delightful version sung in French by a very talented performer, Lexi Walker…before she became internet famous.
And who can pass up the version by the Tom Tom Club, a side project of Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of Talking Heads fame…Qu’est-ce que c’est?
Popular French Christmas Music of French Origin
Enjoy these popular titles -many that you will recognize and one that is the Guinness World Record! Perfect for a festive Christmas meal en famille.
What is THE French Christmas song ? It can only be…
Petite Papa Nöel – Little Father Christmas
Originally a war hymn written in 1944 by Raymond Vincy and Henri Martine, the lyrics were modified in 1946 by French crooner Tino Rossi. Needed for a movie, he reworked the lyrics, removing war references, and created a secular hymn that is known by everyone in France. (My husband is rolling his eyes at it’s inclusion.)
The lyrics are sung from the perspective of a child begging Santa Claus to come and deliver toys.
It has achieved Guinness World Record status for the biggest-selling French single. It has been re-recorded by stars such as Celine Dion and Josh Groban. The folks at French Moments wrote a deep dive into the backstory should you want to learn more.
This is one song in particular that my husband has an aversion to as it was played endlessly in his childhood in the 60s. However, when I ask our French friends, this is “the French Christmas song.”
Watch this classic Tino Rossi version and sing along with these French Christmas carol lyrics...I know I will.
More Popular Christmas Carols In French
- Mon Beau Sapin – O Christmas Tree – While the song is of German origin, French poet Ernest Anschütz wrote the lyrics.
- Vive le Vent – Jingle Bells – French lyrics by Francis Blanche add a French twist to this festive favorite.
- Mon plus beau Noël- No list of French music is complete without mentioning Johnny Hallyday, who is France’s most famous and successful rock star. He had a career spanning 57 years before he passed in 2017. He recorded this in 2005 – here’s the music video.
Wrap Up-Add More French Christmas Songs to your Playlists (or CD players)
Discover More French Song Lyrics and Compilations
The following articles, podcasts, and compilations were so useful in researching this piece – please check them out.
- Compilation of French Christmas lyrics
- This Join Us In France podcast episode features a family of choral and classical performers and educators, presenting some of the carols mentioned above.
- Explore the French National Library’s digital collection Gallica for Noel en musiques et en chansons
- Coucou Language School’s – Top 10 Christmas Songs
- Strommen language school – 20 Best French Christmas Songs of All Time
We hope you found this article about French Christmas music, French Christmas carols, and French Christmas traditions enjoyable. Happy listening and Joyeux Noel.
Enhance Your Holidays with these- Musical Christmas Gifts
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In case you're wondering what's on my list..
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I, absolutely, love this post! We’ve spent Christmas in Strasbourg (where part of my heritage is from), my husband is taking French lessons. I’m listening to your suggestions now. Thank you!
Cindy that’s so lovely to hear! I’m sure you’ve visited the Strasbourg Christmas market – it’s supposed to be one of the best European Christmas markets around! My husband is French too and we were both surprised to discover some of these “big” songs had provencal roots. I do love a good Vive le Vent.
This article is so cool! How interesting to learn about how the French celebrate Christmas and the history behind the carols. I’ve been to Paris once and LOVED it! I’ve always been interested in France and its culture.
Monica – thanks for dropping in – there is so much to love about France..Paris at winter is fabulous should you be planning your next trip. Also, there’s so much to discover at our neck of the woods in the south so keep your eye on future posts!
This made me wanna learn French right away.
i’m so happy! you can start practicing by singing Jingle Bells in French with Vive Le Vent!
So beautiful and peaceful listening to those French Christmas Carols. I am really in a calm mood now for Christmas. I think I will learn a little French this Christmas break!
so glad the article brought you some peace in this chaotic, busy season!
What a fascinating read! Thanks for introducing me to the French Christmas songs that you listen to and giving insight to their history/tradition. I loved watching the videos on Youtube – the performances were gorgeous, and the songs beautiful. The French language is so romantic, I may have to add some of these songs to my Christmas playlist this year 😀
so glad you enjoyed the post and those amazing performers we found. I hope you do add them to your list and enjoy all season long!
Definitely gets you in the mood for Christmas.
yes – thanks for stopping by!
It was interesting not only to listen to the French Christmas songs, but also to learn about their history! Some of them are now on my Christmas playlist! Thanks for sharing!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for stopping by to let me know.
Yanno, I never even thought to think about origins of Christmas songs, let alone French ones! As an anthropology nerd, I really enjoyed reading this! Thank you!!
Well hopefully you’ll circle back for more posts because I’m the same and love to understand how things evolved, especially in France.
Thank you for highlighting these wonderful French Christmas songs. It’s so interesting and educational to learn more about it all.
so glad you enjoyed this post. Hope it makes your holiday season brighter!